Should the Colts Pick a Quarterback in the First Round?
The Indianapolis Colts find themselves in a difficult position when it comes to the 2020 NFL Draft. Many experts and analyst are split on what direction the Colts should take in the first round.
Usually, making the playoffs will be enough of a success where you don’t mind that the team has a later draft position the following spring. A disappointing season on the field at least will yield a high draft pick (like in 2011, when the Colts finished with the worst record in the NFL and were rewarded with the No. 1 draft pick in 2012, where they took quarterback Andrew Luck). But that’s not the case this season.
Jacoby Brissett took the reins and got off to a great start in his new starting quarterback role. While the Colts did start 5-2, they regressed to the mean and will pick at 13 come draft day. Some will argue that a new franchise quarterback is needed, but that’s generally tough to do with a draft pick outside the top ten.
Last season was a perfect example of a less established quarterback (Daniel Jones) going sixth overall to the New York Giants. Often, quarterback-needy teams are desperate and will reach at the position despite the lack of talent. There may be more value in taking a quarterback in the later rounds. The Colts currently own Washington’s second-round pick, which is 34 overall.
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Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa are the tier one quarterback talents that will headline the 2020 NFL draft, both likely to be picked within the first five picks. Justin Herbert had an up and down 2020 season for the Oregon Ducks but he will be a popular mock draft pick for the Colts at 13. The quarterback position is not a first-round need for the Colts come April. Brissett has shown that he can win games. So what other avenues could the Colts take for their first-round choice, number 13 overall?
Wide Receiver
T.Y. Hilton is 30 years old, and Zach Pascal is the team’s leading receiver at only around 600 yards. While Jacoby Brissett played well this season, the lack of pass-catching talent when Hilton was out was glaring. Parris Campbell also struggled to maintain health just as he was being utilized more. Devin Funchess was also injured and is set to become a free agent this offseason.
A player like Tee Higgins from Clemson could give the team a pass-catching threat for years to come. This would allow the Colts to play more three wide receiver sets and have more playmakers on the field. Higgins is averaging 20 yards per catch and is a big play threat despite his 6’4 frame. T.Y. Hilton, Parris Campbell and Tee Higgins would force defensive coordinators to pick and choose who to double team.
Defensive Line
You almost can’t go wrong with a front-line defender, and some fresh blood would certainly help the Colts’ defense, which is right around the league average in yards allowed and points allowed. Justin Houston will be 31 this month and he could use help in the trenches.
There are several defensive linemen projected to be first-rounders, even past the slam dunks like Chase Young of Ohio State and Auburn’s Derrick Brown. Look at names like A.J. Espinosa out of Iowa, Yetur Gross-Matos from Penn State, and Boise State’s Curtis Weaver. Espinosa has shown great versatility this college football season by playing both inside and outside defensive line positions. This can prove to very valuable for the future of the Colts defensive line.
Cornerback
Cornerback is one of the most important positions in the league as the NFL is now a high scoring passing league. The Colts ranks close to the bottom 10 in passing yards allowed in 2019, so there is a need to beef up the secondary. The Colts are probably out of range for Ohio State’s Jeffrey Okudah, who is most likely going to be picked before pick 13.
A name to pay attention to in the College Football Playoff National Championship is LSU’s Kristian Fulton. Fulton was PPF’s highest-graded corner in the SEC this season. Fulton is a physical corner that loves press coverage and can be a day one starter for the Colts defense.
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While many Colts fans would love for the front office to pick a quarterback in the first round, The wiser move would to wait on quarterback. The Colts should consider wide receiver, defensive line or cornerback in the first round and wait to use one of their second round picks on a quarterback. Of course, they can also package their second rounders to move into the first if a quarterback they like falls to the later part of the first. It will be an interesting time once draft season is here.